YOSHINO-KUMANO NATIONAL PARK

The park rises up high into mountain peaks and dips down into dense woodland valleys. Rapid rivers, beautiful beaches and grand shrines bursting with abundant flora and fauna along the World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range make the park a natural playground offering abundant opportunities for wild adventure and spiritual enlightenment.

A natural playground of deep spirituality set in deep green and raging water

The three grand shrines of Kumano-Hayatama, Kumano-Hongu and Kumano-Nachi—known collectively as the Kumano Sanzan—stand at the heart of the park, brilliant red vermillion beacons for pilgrims trekking the arduous Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route on their individual spiritual journeys. The park is also a land of raging water—dropping dramatically in the form of the sacred Nachi Falls and roaring through the Dorokyo Gorge. It flows out into the ocean where divers can come face to face with loggerhead turtles gliding gracefully through vivid coral reefs. The Pacific Ocean then throws the water back at the coastline creating dramatic natural formations including the cliffs and caves or Sandanbeki—hidden hideouts for Heian Era (794-1185) pirates.

All eyes on the Kii Peninsula—Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2018

Making the top ten of Best in Travel 2018: Top Regions—a very select list compiled by trusted global travel commentators Lonely Planet— the Kii Peninsula is garnering international attention for its relatively crowd-free natural scenery, hot springs, traditional culture and modern convenience. The peninsula sits alongside Italy’s Aeolian Islands and France’s Languedoc-Roussillon as lesser known destinations that deserve more notice.

GET CLOSER

Spin your wheels

From lung-busting mountain climbs to leisurely local spins—take to two wheels to explore Wakayama more deeply.

Pedal through Wakayama's scenic beauty

Wakayama has spectacular coastal paths and mountain roads that you can now explore on two wheels. World renowned for its mountains, rivers and pilgrimage routes, Wakayama is a cycling kingdom with designated cycling routes that crisscross the prefecture. Courses range from beginner to professional, and each route is dotted with well-equipped Cycle Stations.

Explore Wakayama on two wheels

Wakayama 800 is an expansive project that has opened up 800 kilometers of cycling routes across the prefecture providing two-wheeled access to the area’s spectacular natural scenery. The routes were designed to give professional and casual cyclists alike an opportunity to experience Wakayama's forests, mountains, oceans and rivers, conveniently and safely.

The highlights of Shirahama course

The south coast course

Rent and ride

Bicycle rental centers are dotted around the peninsula so you should be able to find one near to your place of stay. Daily rates, type of bicycle available, and level of English service all vary. Some research into bicycle rental in Wakayama will help you make the best choices to suit your purpose.

Whispered Wisdom of Deep Mountains

The cobbled paths snaking through the jagged mountains and dense forests that make up the spiritual ground of Kumano have been well worn by the soles of pilgrims. Protected by canopies of thick forest, centuries of enlightenment seekers have been privy to the spiritual wisdom whispered through trunk, leaf, rock and water drop.

Feel Imperial—the Full Nakahechi Course

Explore Wakayama on Four Wheels

Wakayama is a prime destination for hikers who travel here to walk the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route but is also the perfect place to take a road trip. You can drive on the coastal roads or deep into the mountains to see a different side of Japan. Choose from three starting points to begin your journey.